SPECIAL ELECTION DRAMA

Meanwhile, the special election Gov. Chris Christie announced to fill Lautenberg's U.S. Senate seat continued to spark drama.

Video: US Sen. Frank Lautenberg's last rideFollowing his funeral in New York City, US Sen. Frank Lautenberg's casket is loaded onto a Washington D.C. bound Amtrak Train at the Secaucus, New Jersey train station bearing his name. Lautenberg, long hailed as a strong proponent of public transportation, will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (Video by Brian Donohue/The Star-Ledger)

State Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Warren) said he won't run after all to give his support to Lonegan. He also called Christie's decision to hold a special election in October instead of November "ill-advised," "exclusionary" and a "waste of money."

And the chairman of re-election campaign said he is being inundated with calls from people who want to be considered for the temporary appointment to fill Lautenberg's seat until the special election.

AFTER THE PRIMARY

Tuesday's primary elections may have left all incumbents intact in the state Senate and state Assembly, but it set the stage for November. Christie is expected to make a play for control of the state Legislature, which is currently held by Democrats.

IN OTHER NEWS ...

• Birdsall Services Group, a Monmouth County engineering firm that was indicted in March in a sweeping pay-to-play case, was sold to a California company.

• A group of families filed a class-action lawsuit against the state to stop the closure of institutions in Woodbridge and Totowa that have provided a home for 700 people with developmental disabilities for decades.